KATHAMDNU : Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, has clarified that the government has not decided to hand over the distribution of iodized salt — currently supplied at subsidized rates by Salt Trading Corporation — to the private sector.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Nepal Forum of Economic Journalists (NAFEJ) on Monday, Minister Bhandari dismissed the claim as baseless rumor. He emphasized that government decisions are made transparently and gradually communicated to the public.

“We’ve calculated the average salt requirement per household based on population estimates and moved forward in coordination with local administrations,” said Bhandari. “Now various rumors are being spread unnecessarily. No such decision has been made, yet it was reported as news. In reality, there is no problem.”

He added that had there been any delivery issues or supply disruptions, the government would have considered alternative solutions. “But that’s not the case here,” he said.

Minister Bhandari stressed the need to counter misinformation and reinforce the credibility of Salt Trading Corporation.